embarrassment

American  

[em-bar-uhs-muhnt] / ɛmˈbær əs mənt /

noun

1. the state of being embarrassed; disconcertment; abashment.

   Synonyms:

   discomposure

2. an act or instance of embarrassing.

3. something that embarrasses.

4. an overwhelmingly excessive amount; overabundance.

   an embarrassment of riches.

5. the state of being in financial difficulties.

6. Medicine/Medical. impairment of functioning associated with disease.

   respiratory embarrassment.

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Related Words

See shame.

Other Word Forms

• preembarrassment noun

Etymology

Origin of embarrassment

From the French word embarrassement, dating back to 1670–80. See embarrass, -ment

Example Sentences

He’s increasingly befuddled, an embarrassment to her, eventually a danger to himself.

From The Wall Street Journal

And because this year there was an embarrassment of riches as far as Latino films goes, here are some honorable mentions we just had to include:

From Los Angeles Times

Mei, a 71-year-old licensed acupuncturist who asked to not use her full name out of embarrassment, said a broker introduced her to the GPB investment funds at a lunch meeting targeting divorced women.

From Los Angeles Times

But for the top class of NBA superstars, such an embarrassment of talents can actually present a problem.

From The Wall Street Journal

The heist has been an embarrassment for the French government and a sign of a broader problem: France is full of cultural treasures, but has dwindling financial resources to protect them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chagrin
• confusion
• difficulty
• dilemma
• mess
• mistake
• unease